Project Manager

Who we are

At Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. (Watson), we provide data-driven insights to help municipalities and school boards make informed decisions. We focus on financial and economic analysis to develop solutions in municipal finance, education and land economics, including demographic forecasting, development charge studies, economic assessments, long-term financial planning, school board accommodation planning, and ward boundary studies.

For the past four decades, we have led the industry by evolving our offerings to meet the needs of our public sector clients. Across Canada, Watson has worked closely with over 344 municipalities, utilities and school boards to grow and sustain better economies and communities. Our clients partner with us to identify and solve complex challenges, make informed strategic choices and better understand the long-term outcomes. We work to protect the economic assets and interests of every client we serve. Our ability to collect, distill and interpret the right data allows us to develop key insights and strategic solutions that make a difference.

Our cross-functional team of municipal economists, urban planners, and accountants is responsive, collaborative, and innovative, and we are dedicated to producing the highest quality results for our clients. Recognized as a leading authority on the fiscal policy and land economics matters of the municipal government and school board sector, Watson is known for achieving results that translate into successful client outcomes.

We have earned our reputation for quality of analysis, as well as pragmatic and insightful interpretation of the issues we address. Joining us now is a chance to be part of a dynamic team of specialists who are respected and sought out for our expertise.

Who we need

Reporting to the Principal, we have a newly created opportunity for a Project Manager to support our Managing Partner of the Education Division. This Division consults with school boards on education development charges, long-term accommodation studies, pupil accommodation reviews, and school board accommodation and capital financing studies. This Division also advises municipalities on ward boundary reviews. You will take on a collaborative project leadership role, working closely with the Managing Partner to manage the deliverables and consulting resources for multiple concurrent projects. You will help define the project management role, identify areas where your expertise and leadership can be leveraged, and introduce best practices to optimize project communications and delivery.

This is a full-time position operating within a hybrid work environment.

What's in it for you?

Impact. You will help shape a new role within our organization—one designed to make a measurable difference. This is a Greenfield opportunity to build and define what a project management function looks like at Watson, enabling the right people to work in the right roles, ultimately delivering better service and increased productivity. You will collaborate with talented individuals energized by purpose-driven leadership and a shared vision for success.

Ownership. This is more than just a project management role—it’s an opportunity to introduce best practices, establish a framework for communication, resourcing, and deliverables, and lay the foundation for a scalable project management practice. As you refine the role and prove its value, you will have the chance to influence how the practice evolves corporately, potentially hiring and leading a team and impacting our organization’s success.

Career Development. At Watson, we value mentorship, knowledge sharing, and transparency. You will have significant potential for upward progression, with opportunities to elevate into a management or partner-level position. You will play a critical part in our strategic goal of retention, helping to reduce stress across the organization while driving meaningful change. Whether your path leads to overseeing multiple project managers or advancing into a managing partner role, you will have the support, exposure, and resources to grow your career as you shape the future of project management at Watson.

As our new Project Manager, you will:

• Provide end-to-end project management services for the Education Division. You will lead multiple short and long-term projects focusing on strategic planning and financial management for school boards and municipalities, ensuring they are completed on time and within scope. You will manage and coordinate product deliverables from kickoff to post-mortem. You will keep the Managing Partner up-to-date on all aspects of the project and be empowered to determine the best steps and solutions.
• Communicate. You will lead weekly Education Division meetings on upcoming deliverables and workflow tasks. You will document project deliverables and processes using project management tools and share information regularly and on time with the Managing Partner, staff resources, and client project leads. You will maintain high levels of service delivery and provide timely recommendations based on industry best practices.
• Manage project administration. You will prepare detailed project plans, including timelines, deliverables, and micro-deliverables, using appropriate project management software and methods. You will track project budgets and determine reporting requirements to keep your team informed. You will provide input and approval of the project schedule and staff resourcing for project proposals. You will analyze projects to identify risks and develop mitigation strategies proactively.
• Manage client relationships. You will be a contact for all client communications, participating in update meetings with clients and other team members to discuss project progress and identify and resolve issues. You will proactively contact the client on information and data requests, scope creep, and budget and deadline concerns.
• Leadership. You will oversee the work of the cross-functional team. You will build strong relationships with internal team members, provide mentorship, remove roadblocks, and ensure high-quality deliverables. You will discuss and resolve issues to ensure the project team works efficiently, competently and consistently applies best practices. You will contribute to the annual performance review of staff resources.

You have:

• The experience. You have project management and professional services consulting experience, ideally in the public sector. You may have exposure to working directly with municipal governments and boards of education. You bring clear insights into applying best practices for successful project management outcomes. A PMP designation would be an asset.
• The project management skills. Your focus is to assist your team by developing and enforcing processes to successfully achieve project deliverables, and proactively addressing issues. You can balance competing priorities and meet deliverables for multiple concurrent projects. You have the experience and insights to determine the right fit offerings and translate significant challenges into smaller, actionable tasks. You are a forward-thinker and can innovate solutions to keep the project moving forward. You are highly proficient with project management software and can quickly pick up new tools. You may have worked with Deltek Vantagepoint (upgrade from Vision).
• The consulting skills. You have exceptional relationship-building, communication and presentation skills. You are confident working with and presenting to high-level stakeholders. You can plan and influence the work of a collaborative, cross-functional team, ensuring delivery under tight deadlines. You thrive in a changing environment. You can anticipate, understand and respond to the needs of teams and clients and are driven to meet or exceed their expectations.

Join Us

At Watson, we are more than a professional services consulting firm—we are a community of experts dedicated to making a meaningful impact in municipal government and education. Over the past 40 years, we have grown from a one-person firm into a thriving team of over 40 professionals. Our success is rooted in mentorship, transparency, and a commitment to developing future partners. We ensure sustainability and shared success by focusing on building expertise across our organization.

We believe in growing talent from within, offering clear paths for career progression, regular mentorship, and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the continued development of Watson. From annual business plan discussions to transparent performance reviews, we prioritize knowledge sharing and professional growth. At Watson, you will join a legacy of collaboration and innovation supported by a culture that empowers every team member to thrive.

Apply Now

If you have 70% of what we are looking for, apply now. We can't promise an interview, but we will consider your application.

What you can expect from our interview process:

• A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor will discuss your interest in the role and background.
• An interview with a Managing Partner and the Principal. You will be able to discuss your experience and learn more about the role and our culture.

Watson is firmly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People of North America and the world, veterans, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

We are committed to providing accessible employment practices that comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act ('AODA'). If you require accommodations at any stage of the interview process, please email us at careers@watsonecon.ca.

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